Fuel Cells

Viewpoints Archive


	2006
Dec/Jan -		2006: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2007
November -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Large Stationary Applications
October -		Recent Developments in Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells
September -		Transportation Regulations and Portable Fuel Cells
August -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Portable Applications
July -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Niche Transportation Applications
June -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Bus-Propulsion Applications New Technology Area: Connected Homes
May -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells as Auxiliary Power Units in Transportation Applications
April -		Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Light-Duty Vehicle-Propulsion Applications
March -		DOE-Funded Study Compares Cost of Current PEMFCs for Transportation with DOE Goals
February -		Photovoltaics for Electricity Generation

	2005	Download all 2005 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2005: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2006
November -		Direct Carbon Conversion: Feature at Special Fuel-Cell Seminar Workshop
October -		Energy Harvesting
September -		Recent Developments: U.S. Energy Policy Act Provisions Are Likely to Benefit Fuel Cells • SFC Fuel Cell to Be a Standard Feature in Hymer "S Class" Motor Homes; Fuel Supply Infrastructure Established Applications: Citigroup Issues Study Outlining Fuel Cell's Potential in Distributed Telecom Backup Players: Sulzer Will Stop Investing in Sulzer Hexis
August -		Recent Developments: Developers Work on Technical Approaches for Portable Fuel Cells Players: PEMEAS and De Nora Will Merge
July -		Recent Developments: Honda Delivers Its FCX Fuel-Cell Vehicle to an Individual Customer • Ford Expands Its Hydrogen Internal-Combustion-Engine Offerings
June -		A Thermoplastic Fuel Cell
May -		Report from Small Fuel Cells 2005
April -		Research in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
March -		Technologies for Portable Fuel Cells
February -		Micro Reformers for Portable Fuel Cells

	2004	Download all 2004 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2004: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2005
November -		Distributed Generation as an Application for Fuel Cells
October -		Alternatives to Methanol Fuel for Micro Fuel Cells
September -		Alternative-Fuel Vehicles Recent Developments: Increased Interest in Hydrogen Storage; Less Emphasis on Onboard Reforming
August -		Recent Developments in Fuel Cells for Light-Duty Vehicles
July -		Direct-Carbon Fuel Cells
June -		Recent Developments in High-Temperature Membranes for PEMFCs
May -		Recent Developments in Biofuel Cells
April -		Recent Developments in Fuel Processors
March -		Recent Developments: U.S. National Academies's National Research Council Releases Report on the Hydrogen Economy Players: Ballard Announces 2003 Results
February -		Japan Expands Test Program for Small Stationary Units Players: Siemens Scales Back SOFC Manufacturing Plans

	2003	Download all 2003 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2003: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2004
November -		Recent Developments in Fuel Cells for Consumer-Electronic Devices Announcement: Next Generation Technologies
October -		High-Purity Hydrogen from Hydrocarbons for Use in Fuel Cells
September -		Implications of Commercializing Fuel Cells Recent Developments: Labor's Role in Fuel-Cell Manufacturing Players: High-Temperature PEMFC
August -		Recent Developments: ECN Will Sell Its MCFC Patent Portfolio • Plug Power Ships New Products Players: FuelCell Energy Announces Two Acquisitions in SOFC
July -		Fuel Cells As Auxiliary-Power Units Recent Developments: GM Stationary Fuel Cell at Dow Chemical Site
June -		Highlights from the DOE's 2003 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Merit Review Meeting Recent Developments: Compressed Air as Alternative Fuel? Players: Patent for Enzymatic Fuel Cell to PowerZyme
May -		Recent Developments in Bio-Fuel Cells
April -		Recent Developments: HydrogenSource Demonstrates Gasoline-to-Hydrogen Fuel Processor for Use in Fuel-Cell Vehicles Areas to Monitor: Will High Gasoline Prices Increase Consumer Interest in Fuel-Cell–Powered Cars? Players: H Power Becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of PEMFC Producer Plug Power • Astris Transportation Systems Will Begin Volume Manufacturing of Alkaline Fuel Cells • H. C. Starck Becomes Majority Owner of SOFC Producer InDEC • Global Thermoelectric and QUANTUM Fuel Systems Announce Meger Agreement
March -		Portable Fuel-Cell Technologies See Recent Developments
February -		A New State of the Union? Areas to Monitor: Hydrogen Infrastructure Developments Players: Stuart Energy's Position in Electrolysis

	2002	Download Aug.–Dec. 2002 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2002: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2003
November -		Metal-Air Devices for Electric Power Generation Market Development: DOT's Clarification of Rules for Transporting Methanol on Planes
October -		Market Development: Fuel-Cell Installations through 2001 • Planned Fuel-Cell Bus Programs Players: Hydrogen Reformer
September -		Recent Developments: Additional Funding to Develop Reformer Technology • New Pilot MEA Plant from Celanese AG Players: New Players in Alkaline Fuel-Cell Technology • Cooperation Agreement for SOFC Development between Wärtsilä • Corporation and Haldor Topsøe
August -		Recent Developments: DOE Fuel-Cell Research Programs and Funding Market Development: Fuel-Cell Vehicles on the Horizon?
July -		Areas to Monitor in Transportation Recent Developments: California Lawmakers Vote to Lower Vehicular Carbon-Dioxide Emissions Players: Severe Cash-Flow Problems for DCH Technology Inc. • Greenlight Power Technologies, Inc.
June -		Areas to Monitor in the Mobile-Power and Stationary-Power Industry Sectors Players: Palcan and Celco Team to Develop Fuel-Cell Systems • Fuel-Cell and Fuel-Processing Expertise to ChevronTexaco Technology Ventures from Dais-Analytic Explorer Announcement
May -		Commercial Development Parameters: Commercial Development Parameters in the Transportation, Stationary Power, and Mobile Power Sectors Players: Avista Labs and Aperion Energy Systems to Develop and Market Small-Scale Backup Power Systems • EnKAT GmbH to Hydrogenics
April -		Recent Developments: PEM and Solid Oxide Are the Fuel-Cell Technologies to Watch Players: Sulzer Hexis and Plug Power Deliver CE-Certified Systems for Residential Power • Teledyne Energy Systems Inc. Expands Its Product Offering • Ansaldo Ricerche Spins Out Fuel-Cell Unit
March -		Portable Power Sources: A Role for Fuel Cells?
February -		Recent Developments: Policy Shifts Likely to Aid Fuel-Cell Development Efforts • New European Venture Capital Company to Focus on Fuel Cells and Related Hydrogen Technologies • Fuel Cells for Auxiliary Power Units on Airplanes? • Plans to Introduce Fuel Cell Vehicles by 2005 • Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand System

	2001
Dec/Jan -		2001: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2002
November -		Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells Are Entering Commercial Markets
October -		Is Direct Oxidation of Hydrocarbons in SOFCs a Significant Breakthrough? Recent Developments: Matsushita Electric Will Sell Home Fuel-Cell Systems in 2004 • ABI Forecasts2.4 Million Fuel-Cell Vehicles by 2011 • FuelCell Energy Has Shipped Its Direct FuelCell to Los Angeles • Greenvolt Power corp Begins Shipment of Emergency Fuel Cells
September -		Recent Developments: More Than $100 Million in DOE Awards • Plug Power to Commercialize Its Products Soon • H Power to Market Stationary FCs in California
August -		Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells Used in Transportation
July -		Advances in Gasoline and Methane Reformer Technologies
June -		Direct-Methanol Fuel Cells for Portable Electronic Devices Recent Developments: GM in Serious Disaccord with CARB • H Power in Collaboration with Osaka Gas
May -		Viability of Hydrogen Reforming Onboard Vehicles
April -		Recent Developments: BMW and Delphi Unveil SOFC Auxiliary Power Unit • Honda Demonstrates Its Third-Generation FCV • Portable FCs Could Find Use in Commercial Vacuum Cleaners • Mazda and DaimlerChrysler Start Test Runs in Japan • Ebara Ballard Unveils Stationary PEMFC Prototype • Toyota Introduces New FCHV-3 • NBG Technology and LIPA Install Residential PEMFC • Sagem and Medis Will Develop Portable FC Power Chargers for Batteries
March -		Fuel-Cell Buses Could See Demonstration in Developing Countries Recent Developments: Siemens Westinghouse Continue to Lead European SOFC Developments • GM, Toyota, and ExxonMobil Look for Promising Fuels
February -		Recent Developments: ARB Modifies Its ZEV Mandate • DaimlerChrysler Unveils Necar 5 and Hybrid Jeep Commander • GM Develops New Catalyst for Gasoline Processing • Ford Opts for Hydrogen-Storage Fuel-Cell Systems • Texaco and ECD Form a Hydrogen Storage Joint Venture Company

	2000
Dec/Jan -		2000: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2001
November -		Advances in Electrolyte Technology for Fuel Cells
October -		Will Portable Fuel Cells to Lead Fuel-Cell Commercialiazation?
September -		Recent Developments: DMFC Research • New Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell • Fuel-Cell-Battery Hybrid-Electric Vehicle • Gasoline-Powered Fuel Cell • Fuel Desulfurization from Hydrocarbon Fuels • Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft • Portable Fuel Cells Study • Mebrane Development • Fuel-Cell Boat
August -		Advances in Hydrogen Generation and Storage Technology Recent Developments: Fuel-Cell Commercialization Dates • Fuel-Cell Vehicle Economy Studies • Wider Acceptance for Direct Fuel-Cell Technology • DCH and Daido to Produce Portable Fuel Cells • No Diesel Buses for Los Angeles • Low-Temperature SOFC • SOFCs for Cars and Trucks
July -		New Developments in Stationary Fuel Cells Recent Developments: Fuel Cells for Vending Machines • World's First Fuel-Cell-Bus Demonstration
June -		Cost Analysis of FCEVs
May -		U.S. FY2001 Fuel Cells Budget Poised for Stronger Growth Recent Developments: Milestone for Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell • Hydrogen-Storage Systems from Carbon Nanostructures • Demonstration of a New Direct Fuel-Cell Technology • New Industry Partner for Ballard's Mark 900 Fuel Cells • Applications
April -		Platinum Production: Sufficient for Fuel-Cell Commercialization?
March -		Recent Developments: ZeTek Power Commercializes Hybrid Fuel-Cell Van • Proton Energy Systems Makes Breakthrough in Electrolyzer Technology • Japan Holds the Third International Conference on Fuel Cells • Siemens Builds Hybrid PEMFCs for Italian Submarines • University Develops Fuel Cell Working on Metals and Renewables • Energy Conversion Devices Develop a New Hydrogen Storage System • Siemens Completes Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Testing • Ballard Power Unveils New Mark 900 Fuel Cell • Northwest Power Develops Multifuel FEMFCs
February -		Fuel Cells: Barriers to Widespread Commercialization

	1999
Dec/Jan -		1999: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2000
November -		Developments in Regenerative Fuel-Cell Technology Recent Developments: Nisseki Gas in LPG Fuel Cells • Alkaline FCs for Desalination • DMFC Technology Rights for Ballard • Lower-Cost, Cobalt Catalyst Breakthrough • New High-Hydrogen Fuel • Syntroleum Fuel for Epyx • Toyota Confident about FC Cars • Catalytica and McDermott in Fuel Processor Technology Development • New Diesel Fuel Processor
October -		Recent Developments: Recent Fuel-Cell Patents • Pure PEMFC Cars in the World Market • Cheaper Composite Bipolar PEM Collector Plates • 40% Efficiency for Gasoline PEMFC Systems • Orders for ZEVCO Vans • FCs for the NYPA • Residential FC Systems for Trial Homes • ONSI Systems for Credit Card Center and Hospital
September -		Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and the Automotive Industry
August -		Explorer Technology Charts
*Before August 1999, the Explorer service was called TechMonitoring, and Viewpoints* were TechLinks.**
July -		Oil Producers Have a Role in FC Technology Recent Developments: Transportation Sees New Developments • GE Fuel Cell Systems Partners with New Jersey Resources • Siemens Power Generation Delivers Large FC to German Navy • DCH Expands Fuel Cell Operations • Munich International Airport Has a Hydrogen Project
June -		Development of Microfabricated Biocatalytic Fuel Cells Recent Developments: Nebus in the Mannheim Streets • Direct-Fuel-Cell Power Plant
May -		Small PEM Fuel-Cell Activities See Strong Growth Recent Developments: Solid Chemical Hydride Enables a Simple, Convenient Portable-Power Unit • DaimlerChrysler Unveils NECAR 4 • Ballard Introduces Its Experimental Fuel-Cell Buses
April -		UltraFuelCell Concept Might Offer 80% Electrical Efficiency Various Fuel-Cell Vehicle Automakers Are Active
March -		Progress and Growth Were Obvious at the 1998 Fuel Cell Seminar Recent Developments: DaimlerChrysler Will Focus on Methanol-Fueled FCVs in the Near Term
February -		Recent Developments: Developments in PEM Fuel Cells • Developments in Automotive Fuel Cells • Initial FC Test Results at a Wastewater-Treatment Plant • Fuel Cells from Toshiba • SOFC Breakthroughs from Global Thermoelectric • Fuel Cell and Microturbine Components in a Hybrid Power Plant • Oregon Home Powered by a Residential Fuel Cell

	1998
Dec/Jan -		1998: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1999
November -		Small Portable and Stationary Systems Lead the Way to FC Commercialization Recent Developments: General Electric Plans to Distribute Plug Power FC Systems • Residential-Scale FC Systems are Eligible for an Early-Buyer Subsidy Program • Germany Plans Residential-FC Demonstrations • NIST Selected Five FC-Related Proposals for Its Premium Power Focus Program
October -		Evaluations of the Fuel Cell Vehicle Industry Confirm the Benefits and the Challenges
September -		Two New Firms in the FC Field Recent Developments: Automotive Fuel Cell Report and Company Activities • New Fuel Cell Research Center • EC Strategy on Fuel-Cell Research
August -		Microturbines and Catalytic Combustors Present Challenges in the Distributed-Generation Markets Recent Developments: Plug Power Is Demonstrating a Prototype Residential FC System • New Process Could Cut Methanol Costs
July -		Market Factors Favor Small FC Powerplants Recent Developments: A 250-kW MCFC Demonstration Will Lead to New Product Plans by ERC • Hydrogenics Is Developing a Small PEMFC for Extreme Temperatures • SFCCG Accepted Two Proposals for Commercialization of Residential Fuel Cells • An Innovative PEMFC Stack and Expansion of Residential-FC Work Are Under Way at Analytic Power
June -		TOPTEC Presentations Highlighted FC Buses and the FCV Transition from Concept to Product • Premium Power Is a New Focused Program in the U.S. Advanced Technology Program • Mobil and Mazda Add Weight to FCV Partnership
May -		The Problem of Fuel Selection Overshadows Progress in FCV Development
April -		CEC Reports That High Cost Is the Dominant Barrier to Commercial Adoption of FC Systems Recent Developments: General Motors Plans to Stay among the Leaders in the FCV Arena • Epyx Corp. Will Commercialize ADL's Fuel Processing Technology
March -		Aggressive Participants Are Reshaping the FC Business • The FC Industry May Start to Feel the Greenhouse Effect Recent Developments: H Power Sells Small FCs to New Jersey Highway Department • Ballard Reports Sale of Portable-Power Systems and a 250-kW Field-Trial Powerplant • Los Alamos Will Assist with PEMFC Development by Plug Power • University Will Host the U.S. National Fuel Cell Research Center
February -		The Fuel Cell Industry Is Charging Ahead Recent Developments: A New Small-Scale Power-Generation Product Approaches the Market

	1997
Dec/Jan -		1997: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1998
November -		Planar SOFCs Are Moving Forward Recent Developments: Methanol FCV Demonstrations Signal a New Phase in FCV Development • Four Proposals Passed the Initial Evaluations of a Small-Scale FC Group • European Consortium Began Tests of 280-kW MCFC Module • A Ballard Bus and the FEVER Hybrid Add to the List of FCV Demonstrations
October -		DOE's FC Program Will Continue with Few Changes • 3M Expects Increasing Use of Purchased Components in Future FC Production Recent Developments: Westinghouse Signs a $202 Million Agreement to Continue SOFC Development • ERC Prepares Changes to Its Development and Demonstration Plans • Ballard Begins Operation of Stationary Powerplant and Signs a Methanol Agreement
September -		NO_x-Reduction Headaches Bring Opportunities and Competitors for the FC Field Recent Developments: Orders for 185 PAFCs Support ONSI's Claim of a "Substantial Market" at $2000 per Kilowatt • Advances in Catalytic Combustion Move a Very LowNOx Technology toward the Market Areas to Monitor: NO_x-Control Has Brought Problems and Unexpected Costs
August -		Failed Powerplants Won't Always Fade Away Recent Developments: Powerplant Operations and Maintenance Costs Have Been Falling Commercial Development Parameters: Use of Natural Gas Has Good Growth Prospects in Asia Areas to Monitor: FCs Gain Support Because of Potential Role in Carbon Dioxide Sequestration • High-Quality Power Might Become a Certification Requirement for Some Users • Leases Might Ease Commercial Introduction of FCVs
July -		FC Bus Is the Latest Highlight of Daimler-Benz's FC Vehicle Program Recent Developments: Joint Venture Plans to Develop and Manufacture Residential PEMFCs
June -		FC Bus Project Indicates Confidence in Siemens's PEMFC Technology Recent Developments: Japan Might Cease Development of MW-Scale PAFCs • Japan Plans Subsidies for FC Buyers • Laboratory Seeks Partners for Development of Simple, Portable PEMFC • ERC's Commercial Units Will be Late • Nissan Places Second FC Order with Ballard
May -		Automakers Are Serious about Fuel Cell Vehicle R&D
April -		Large MCFC Demonstrations Address a Range of Technical and Market Issues
March -		MCFC Developers Must Quickly Transfer R&D Advances Into Commercial Products
February -		The GRI Research Plan Casts Light on FC Challenges and Opportunities

	1996
Dec/Jan -		1996: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1997
November -		GRI Report on SOFC Cost and Competitiveness: Informative but Simplifies Many Issues
October -		Initial Round of DoD Grants Will Help Fund 27 200-kW PAFCs • European FCV Work Is Widespread
September -		Falling Utility Rates Pose a Stiff Challenge for On-Site FCs • Optimistic Interpretations of Studies Obscure Genuine Good News
August -		GRI Request for Proposals Sends a Message to SOFC Developers • Misleading Article Tarnishes FC Image, but Makes Good Points about Price • GRI Offers $4 Million for SOFC Stack Development • Fuel Cost Outweighs Efficiency in Determining Generating Costs • Nuclear-Power Industry Continues Rapid Improvement
July -		DoD Funds Have Helped Spur Large Orders for ONSI PAFCs • MCFC Problems in Santa Clara Illustrate the Risk of Large-Scale Demonstrations • Dutch Developers Have Adopted a New Approach to MCFC Commercialization • FC Stack Was Not the Source of NECAR II's Troubles
June -		Daimler-Benz Vehicle Answers Questions about the Status of FCVs • Fuel Cells Surpassed 1 Million Hours of Commercial Operation • Daimler-Benz's NECAR II Demonstrates FCV Progress • Hydrogen-Production Venture Will Leverage IFC's PC25 Technology • A British Consortium Acquired Elenco's AFC Assets for FC Vehicle Work • Astris Plans to Test Use of Its Small AFCs to Power Golf Carts
May -		Contracts, Stock Offerings Keep Ballard in the News • ERC's 2-Megawatt MCFC Began Generating Power • Technology and Deregulation Combine to Lower Natural Gas Prices and Increase Reserves
April -		Initial Integrated SOFC/Combustion Turbine Plants Soon Will Appear • SOFC/CT Integration Is an Attractive Concept • Westinghouse Expects to Begin Operating a 3-MW SOFC/CT Powerplant in 1999 • Ztek Technology and Partnerships Are Aimed at SOFC/CT Powerplants • Potential Buyers Are Intrigued by the SOFC/CT Concept, but Skeptical of Paper Claims
March -		European and U.S. FC Development Strategies Differ Widely
February -		A U.S. Healthcare Company Plans to Use Some 30-MW of PAFCs
Dec/Jan -		1995: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1996